The Old Achimotan Association (OAA)

The Old Achimotan Association, (OAA) is an Association of former pupils and staff of the Prince of Wales College, later Achimota College and School. Its chief objectives are stated in the Constitution of the Association and may be found here at this site. The Association's mandate is exercised through an Executive Committee (EC), a group of 14 elected and ex officio members.

History

An abridged account of the history of the OAA written by Akora K A Cato, recounts that the formation of the Association arose from a tradition of the Accra Government Teachers Training College where former student teachers of the college met once a year during the long vacations for refresher courses of a few days in length. It is recorded that during these courses, former pupils and staff of the college, which had formed the nucleus of the Teacher Training Department of Achimota in 1927, took great interest in coming together to renew acquaintanceships.

It was during one of these meetings in 1929, that on the initiative of Rev A G Fraser, the first Principal of the College, the decision was taken to form an association. The Association was formed to maintain the interest of former pupils and staff in the well being of the School.

Sandy Fraser, a member of staff of the School and son of Rev A G Fraser was its first organising secretary. The first General Meeting of the OAA was held on 23rd December 1930 at the School. Thereafter these meetings were held on an annual basis. Members took the opportunity to visit the School, staying on the campus for 3 to 4 days at a time.

The OAA Today

The Association has grown considerably in size since then, adapting its structure on the way. It has gone from a small association of past students and staff, carrying out functions through volunteers, to a more formal organisation with its constitution and office with a small complement of paid staff. Currently General Meetings are held Biennially on the Sunday in November during which the OAA holds its Annual Memorial Service.

Membership of the Association is open to students and staff of the School who satisfy criteria set out in the Constitution of the OAA. A recent development is the Induction of leaving students into the OAA at a short ceremony at the School during which they pledge, in the words of the OAA Induction Pledge, to conduct themselves in a manner so as to further the cause of the Association and School. A similar ceremony has been held in recent times during a special service for staff of the School who joined the Association.

Organisation of The OAA

The functioning of the OAA is organised around

Biennial General Meeting

Currently these meetings are held Biennially on the Sunday in November after the OAA's Annual Memorial Service. At these meetings, the Executive Committee (EC) gives an account of their stewardship to the wider, general membership. In recent years this has included the submission of Audited Accounts for the years past for Scrutiny, and subsequent adoption by free vote. Minutes are recorded and made available to members at the next General Meeting. (Copies of the previous meeting minutes can be obtained at this site in pdf format.) Officials and members of the Association are elected at this meeting for a term of two years.

The Executive Committee

This committee is made up of the following elected officers

Eight additional members also elected by vote at the Biennial General Meeting. The following ex-officio members.

make up the full complement of the committee

A list of past and present members of the EC may be found on this site.

The EC who are mandated by the Constitution of the OAA to manage the affairs of the Association and administer its funds including authorising sundry payments, meet once a month to discuss matters, in the exercise of its mandate.

The workings of the Executive Committee are supported by a secretariat, which also doubles as an Alumni Office, working closely with the EC. The Secretariat constitutes the day to day contact point for members of the OAA and general public.

The Executive Committee in exercising it mandate to manage the affairs of the Association,

The work of EC is done largely through sub-committees, both standing and formed Ad Hoc. A list of Sub Committees, their membership, functions and reports on the work of these Sub-Committees can be found on this site.

Year Groups Representatives Meeting

This meeting is the main forum, outside the biennial general meeting, for the discussion of matters affecting the OAA and the School. It is held once a month on the second Friday of every month at 6:00 pm at the School, and is attended by representatives of year groups selected by each of the individual year groups. Minutes of the meetings are taken and circulated to the attendees by the Secretariat prior to the next meeting. The meetings are chaired by the OAA President, and matters of interest are taken forward to the next meeting of the EC.

Year Groups

Year groups are by far the largest grouping of the OAA. They comprise a year for each group of students that have passed out of the School, usually at one of O level, A Level or SSSCE stages. The groups are essentially a gathering of classmates who meet periodically for social purposes and to promote their interest in the well being of the School.

Year Groups exist within the Constitution of the OAA. Whilst free to choose their own administrative and governing structures, most if not all the structures selected generally reflect the structure of the National body, with a President, Secretary and Treasury as their principal officers.

With the School attaining 80 years, there are theoretically 80 year groups in existence. Not all of the groups are active. A list of Year Groups, their principal officers, meeting times and places can be found on this site.

Regional Branches

Regional Branches are provided for in the Constitution of the OAA. They may be formed in any of the Administrative Regions within or without Ghana. Within any Regional Grouping, Branch Groups (sometimes referred to as Chapters) may be formed. The procedure for forming such groups is outlined in the Constitution.

Branches and Groupings form their own administrative structures distinct from those of the National OAA, levy their own dues, and administer their funds as they deem appropriate to help with the running of their respective organisations, and elect their officers according to their respective constitutions. They also determine their own meeting times and places.

Regional Branches and Groupings meet like the National OAA to discuss matters pertaining to the well being of the Association and the School. Their agenda frequently takes into account the particular nature of the grouping. Links are maintained with School, and the National Association of which all groupings form a part.

Details of active Branches and Groups can also be found here on this site.